sink & basin traps

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Guest
I don't own a boat, but I'm doing the shorebased day skipper course. We discussed various safety matters last session, one of which was all the necessary holes in boats.
If heeled over too far, I understand that water can enter your sink and basin waste pipes, with disastrous results.
Replace the normal U-bend trap, with a Hepworth HV0 one. They are readily available from plumbers' merchants, with straight and 90 degree coupler accessories, in 34 ans 40mm sizes.
Basically, they comprise a flattened, soft rubber tube. Water flow in the right direction can pass, but water in the wrong direction just holds it more firmly shut.
Try it.
N.B. I'm not a shareholder, just a satisfied customer.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
If I was heeled over so far that water started coming into my sink, then I would be seriously considering putting on my lifejacket! I would say the majority of sinks on boats would be well above the waterline and don't have u-bends.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
I have never owned nor heard of a boat that had a U-bend. My boat would need to be heeled to more than 75 degrees on starboard for water to come up the galley waste pipe. Since the said pipe is 3/4 inch diameter, and at the same time the cockpit would be flooding, possibly through the main hatch that is a couple of feet square, I don't think it would be worth worrying about. On port tack the drain skin fitting would be in the air before the sink was lower than it, so it can never happen.

I suggest that there are issues more worthy of discussion in your day skipper course.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
<font color=blue>It would be some sort of disastrous design that would place the waste pipe in such a position as to allow that to happen. I think your Instructor needs instructing.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.alexander-advertising.co.uk
 
It can happen on my boat (GK24). Unlike newer boats, the sinks not placed near the centreline, but to one side. Lacking headroom, the sinks set rather low. Also, the sik doesn't have to be below the waterline for water to come in- it seems certain combinations of boat speed and wave motion can force water up the pipe.

However, its only common sense to keep all seacocks closed at sea anyway, incase a hoseclip works loose, so I don't find its a problem.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
???? - I have this problem !

My boat has this problem once the rail is awash ..... when healed to starboard. Or when the boat suffers a wave running along the side that reaches high.

It is not an uncommon problem and I am surprised that some 'old-salts' have answered to the contrary.... the most comon asnwer to stop it happening is the stop-cock or valve. I have a stop cock on the drain and also on the water supply to the sink. The level of the sink outlet is at w/line when level.
The WC is stopped from similar by the manual pump having a one-way valve, but I normally back this up by closing the outlet valve.

I would not be too happy about relying completely on a auto one-way ... as its too easy for a mistake or something to be lodged and hold the flap open ....

And before anyone says that my boat is fitted out wrong ........ I defy them to visit most boats of similar vintage and size and find different !!

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
 
Aye to that

Always had a stopcock on all my boats, no U Bend and close the stopcock whenever under way or not using the sink. I have heard of using a locking plug on the sink [like those used in vacuum flasks] instead of the usual sink plugs, useful to stop plugs popping our at awkward moments. Might be OK, but never used one myself. mostly dont use a plug at all but operate the seacock to keep water in/letwater out.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Re: ???? - I have this problem !

I have this problem on port tack (and also had it on a previous boat). I've thrown away the one-way valve as it failed and allowed water to back up. We now simply shut the valve before sailing. If the sink gets full we wait until on stbd tack and then open the valve briefly to drain.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Re: ???? - I have this problem !

We are the same - on a Moody Halberdier on port tack if over by more than about 25 degrees the galley sink will overflow back. Our solution is like everyone elses; fit a valve!

SteveA

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Yes I use them as well as Hep2O rigid plastic plumbing through out the boat. Don't mess with jubilee clips when you can have the real thing.


Phil

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
I had a Elizabethan 29 that flooded via the sink if the plug was not firmly pushed home when on starboard tack. As the sea cock was difficult to reach I used one of those expanding stoppers used for wine bottles etc. and this worked very well. A better solution would have been to route the drain pipe to the other side of the Yacht .

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Re: ???? - I have this problem !

Hi Steve

Same on my Halberdier, in fact I think every boat I've ever had, has had water come up the sink drain on one tack or t,other.

I just put the plug in, but the plug has a very small hole in it and this stops the pressure pushing it out. It is however small enough to stop the washing up water leaking away.

All best Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
I think some people's attitude is deploreable.

I offered an idea of my own for discussion.

It came to me after discussions on my course - it did not form part of them.

My lack of a boat does not mean that I am an idiot.

I know of a boat which sank at it's moorings when this tide went out and it settled on it's side. The hatches were all secure. The owner had forgotten to close the sea cock.

Have you never done that? Ever?

Never had a sea cock corrode to the point it couldn't be closed?

In the above example, a £7 valve could have saved the boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Sorry don't understand your issue!
You offered an opinion and others have replied, some don't have the problem, certainly I don't, some have said they always close the seacock and others have said that they wouldn't trust a rubber valve. One person said that your instructor is wrong aside from you being a tad sensitive then your problem is?

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500
 
I shouldn't be too upset by these reponses. A couple of the early ones were a bit abrupt, although they came from people who are regular contributers and generally give excellent advice.

Also there is a trend to be very conservative about things like this and almost every one has at some time seen a peice of domestic kit used in the wrong context aboard a small boat.. I think it tends to make folks abit dismissive this sort of thing.

I think the thread developed into a useful little discussion about how to stop a wet carpet from occuring anyway.

Good luck with the course and I personally feel that it is entirely appropriate that topics like this are discussed as side issues during a lesson.

Regards Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top